Dr. Joseph Childers "Joe" Conley, Jr., 76, husband of Susan Fitz-Hugh Conley, of West Augusta, passed away on Friday, November 3, 2023 at Augusta Health in Fishersville.

Dr. Conley was born in Portsmouth, Virginia on August 25, 1947, the son of the late Joseph Childers Conley, Sr. and Juanita (Beverley) Conley.

Dr. Conley was a veteran of the United States Army, serving from 1969-1971. In 1973, he attended East Carolina University, where he received his bachelor's degree in Correctional Services. Following the completion of his bachelor's degree, he attended Virginia Commonwealth University where he received his master's degree in Social Work. In 1986, Joe received his M.A. in Psychology, and after, his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from University of Southern Mississippi. He completed his education in 1988 as a postdoctoral fellow of Clinical Neuropsychology at the Head Trauma Center in Devon, PA.

As a Clinical Psychologist, Joe had a fierce passion for his work.  He was dedicated to helping as many individuals as he could.   Joe proudly served the Commonwealth for more than three decades.  In 1997 he practiced in Staunton Virginia, at Southern Psychological Diagnostic and Clinical Services.  In 2007, he relocated his private practice to Lynchburg, Virginia, where he practiced independently at Rice Counseling and Associates, Inc.  The many professional partnerships developed, and the countless individuals and families served, were a constant topic of appreciation and a motivating factor that fueled his love for this work until his untimely passing.

When not working, Joe enjoyed spending his days with his loving wife Sue at their home.  At different times, Joe could be found in the kitchen, along with Sue, preparing a succulent meal, or in his favorite chair reading a novel or the latest medical journal, or possibly suiting up to go hunting or waiting to be greeted by their beloved Zeus. Joe was a gifted storyteller; he would often recount stories from his experiences as though they were scenes right out of a novel or movie.

Surviving, in addition to his wife of over fifty years, is a daughter, Shawn Michele (Conley) Fukuda and her husband, Tetsurou; and a host of friends and colleagues in the Lynchburg area and a devoted office assistant of fifteen years and family friend, Mary Brown.

A celebration of life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 11, 2023 in the Coffman Funeral Home Chapel by Reverend Vincent Walter Jones.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

Burial will follow the service in Thornrose Cemetery.

Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory, 230 Frontier Drive in Staunton is handling his arrangements.

Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.coffmanfuneralhome.net